Spot Shot is probably like the old Carbona spot remover and has a solvent that swells and softens the surface, much like MEK (methyl ethyl ketone) does. Bad thing is that prolonged use causes the rubber/neoprene to get hard and crumbly over time. I've cleaned typewriter/daisy wheel printer platens with MEK int he past and it works very well for a couple years. -> -----Original Message----- -> From: owner-classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org -> [mailto:owner-classiccmp@classiccmp.org]On Behalf Of Richard Erlacher -> Sent: Monday, November 05, 2001 10:51 AM -> To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org -> Subject: Re: Rubber Restorer... -> -> -> There's another, more readily available, product with which I've had good -> results on paper feed mechanisms and tape transport rollers, -> etc. That's a -> carpet-cleaning product called "Spot Shot" and is also a spray. -> It's quite -> reasonably spriced at stores like CostCo, but is also available at most -> supermarkets. -> -> Dick -> -> ----- Original Message ----- -> From: "Bryan Pope" <bpope(a)wordstock.com> -> To: <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org> -> Sent: Monday, November 05, 2001 8:59 AM -> Subject: Rubber Restorer... -> -> -> > -> > Does anyone know where I can get "Rubber Restorer"? I know it -> comes in a -> > spray. -> > -> > I thought I had bought it before at Radio Shack, but they -> didn't have any or -> > a clue. -> > -> > Thanks, -> > -> > Bryan Pope -> > -> > -> ->

Plain old lighter fluid works well too and has benzine in it. Not sure if they still use it but benzine used to be known as dry cleaning fluid. -> -----Original Message----- -> Benzene or other rubber-cement thinners might work about as well -> as anything on -> the rubber rollers. I use the SpotShot becuse it's readily -> available, and I -> doubt I'll use it often enough to hurt things much. The main -> purpose for which -> I use it, other than removing routine spills from my -> light-colored carpeting, is -> removing those stick-on labels and price tags that come off with such -> difficulty. It works very well for that, though it smells very -> unpleasant. -> -> Dick

Damn Merch, what isn't Marvel good for?! It also frees stuck pistons in old motorcycles. They DO make rubber-restorer and I've used it, but the effects are only good for a limited number of cycles before you have to re-treat the rollers or do what you probably should have done in the first place - buy new rollers. Of course, if your refurbing some arcane peice of gear as is likely you would be, maybe those rollers are unavailable or prohibitively expensive. Another thing, to the best of my knowlege, no restorer will resolidify a gooey roller, this stuff is just to put some stick back onto the rollers' surface. Regards, Jeff In <5.1.0.14.2.20011105135918.00ac85c8(a)mail.30below.com>om>, on 11/05/01 at 02:01 PM, Roger Merchberger <zmerch(a)30below.com> said: -- ----------------------------------------------------------- Jeffrey S. Worley Asheville, NC USA 828-6984887 UberTechnoid(a)Home.com -----------------------------------------------------------

Try an auto parts store. Mechanics use it for all sorts of stuff. --Mike Michael Nadeau Editorial Services 603-893-2379 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bryan Pope" <bpope(a)wordstock.com> To: <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org> Sent: Monday, November 05, 2001 2:33 PM Subject: Re: Rubber Restorer... a any or printer residue?

Rumor has it that Bryan Pope may have mentioned these words: Should work fine... Have you tried Wallyworld? (ahem - that would be Wal-mart... but you should be able to find it at Target, K-fart or any other nationwide-type store chain - check the automotive section...) Red can - looks like 1930's grafix they've never changed, but you can (finally) now get it in a plastic bottle... BTW: From what I've heard, Marvel Mystery Oil is just ATF without the added extras... the base oil is the same stuff. However, personally I wouldn't use ATF for your printer needs as some of those additives can do weird things to rubber... Also BTW: the person who taught me that trick is "UberTechnoid"'s brother, who currently works for me... HTH, Roger "Merch" Merchberger

I think what causes most paper transports to stop transporting is that they acquire paper dust in their porous rubber belts and rollers and thereby lose their ability to grab the paper. The "restorer" probably allows these tiny bits of paper to be removed, thereby restoring the stickiness to the rubber surfaces. I have the same sort of problem albeit on a somewhat larger scale in the socket-liner on my prosthesis. While soft, clean, and compliant, it sticks to the skin and forms a suction-based bond that hold the thing onto the remaining portion of my leg just fine. After a few days' use, it picks up skin particles and other forms of debris, which makes the surface inadequately smooth, soft, and compliant, and so, it doesn't work any longer. Of course, unlike printer and tape drive parts, that can be cleaned easily with soap and water. As far as tape drive rollers are concerned, it's quite easy (provided you have access to and experience with machine tools, to remove the rubber from the base material after measuring the outside diameter with a dial caliper, and then build up a layer of silastic (the type you get for $2 a tube at the hardware store) let it cure in more or less round shape, and then apply a toolpost grinder with the roller in a lathe. Silastic machines quite nicely and cleanly with a fast grinder, and if you are careful not to take it down too fast and if you're careful not to get it too hot (let it cool between cuts) it is quite accurately machinable, and also allows you quite a bit of freedom to shape it once cured. Dick ----- Original Message ----- From: "Roger Merchberger" <zmerch(a)30below.com> To: <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org> Sent: Monday, November 05, 2001 12:01 PM Subject: Re: Rubber Restorer...

It is an Okidata Okimate 4w... LED printer... I can't even find the toner carts at CompUSA or MicroCenter anymore.. I had to mailorder them.. :( Bryan